The House That Was Home

Chapter 10

Friday, June 28

No matter how touched Harry was of his godfather's gesture, it didn't change the fact that he hated shopping for clothes.

Harry had went in and randomly picked out three simple T-shirts, when Sirius had shook his head saying that there wasn't enough variety. Harry had offhandedly suggested that maybe Sirius should pick them out.

Jumping onto the idea a little too enthusiastically for Harry's liking, Sirius had proceeded to aggressively pick out a pile of clothes, from jumpers to jackets, to button-ups and jeans. If that wasn't worse, he badgered Harry to try them on, and after the thirteenth try-out, Harry had had enough.

He was going to make up his mind about what he wanted, Sirius' approval be damned.

"You know what?" ground out Harry, frustrated. "You get your own and I'll get mine. That way, we'll be done in fifteen minutes, okay?"

Sirius smirked. "Finally."

It turned out Sirius needed at least forty-five minutes to finish his shopping and Harry was growing agitated. Finally, they were finished and with more bags now in their hands than earlier, Sirius led them to a dark alleyway behind a deserted shop. Then, he called for Kreacher.

The sight of filthy old Kreacher on the muggle street was odd to say the least. He popped in and bowed low, his nose grazing the ground. Sirius had given Kreacher all of their bags and barked at Kreacher to take them to the house, who then vanished.

The sun was already setting and Harry and Sirius were free to explore London without any bags weighing them down. Even as he enjoyed the time with his godfather, Harry noticed Sirius' hand was at all times in his pocket, no doubt clutching his wand ready. Harry felt content and safe knowing that he had someone to look out for him. After stopping by for ice-cream as Sirius' way of making up to Harry for the dreadful time spent clothes' shopping, they Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

oOo

Saturday, June 29

Sirius had left early in the morning to meet with Dumbledore and Harry was left alone with Kreacher and Lupin who was in the study as he was wont to whenever he was home.

Harry had gotten mail from Hermione and Ron, who had just reached home from Hogwarts yesterday and congratulated Harry excitedly on Sirius getting his guardianship. It was a quiet day with Harry spending time with poor Buckbeak, who had also been locked up for a year in this gloomy house.

Sirius came around at lunchtime and was telling them rather enthusiastically about Dumbledore having added his protection to Harry's grandparents' house and that they were moving in tomorrow. Sirius and Dumbledore had performed the Fidelius Charm and Sirius being the Secret-Keeper, gave Harry a parchment of paper with the words:

Potter Manor can be found at Number Seven, Rosedale, Yorkshire.

Harry passed the parchment to Lupin, when Sirius said gruffly, "You're living with us too, Moony. No excuses."

Lupin looked at Sirius with an odd expression before looking back at Harry, who nodded. "I want you to stay too, Professor."

He smiled. "It's Remus, Harry." He took the parchment and after he had read it, burned it to ash.

Sirius said, "Nobody else can know the address. I agree with Dumbledore on this count – with Voldemort in the open, it is for the best if we limit it to just the three of us and Dumbledore."

Harry nodded, not too bothered by that – he was finally going to have the life he had wished for.

oOo

Sunday, June 30

Rosedale, North Yorkshire was undoubtedly, the most picturesque village Harry had ever laid his eyes on. It was nestled in a valley under rolling hills and heather moorlands. The crisp, fresh smell of pine forests was rather intoxicating and reminded him a bit of Hogwarts.

The Potter Manor was hidden from the muggles' view by a hedge of tall pine trees encompassing seventeen acres of land. It was a beautiful country style manor with its rough stone walls and large leaded windows. There was a small greenhouse on the front and a winding path lead to the front of the house. The dark oak door was rather old and worn and had a brass knocker but no keyhole.

Lupin tapped his wand and the door clattered open to a hallway. Harry, fully expecting a dusty, musty house like the House of Black was surprised by how relatively clean the house was.

The floors were of dark oak and the whitewashed walls were patterned with floral wallpapers in a crisp ivory. Crimson drapes hung from the windows allowing for sunlight to enter freely.

The warm rug was only slightly dusty, but after Sirius' dark and gloomy house, this house was a welcome reprieve. The living room had a couch and chintz armchairs around a toasty fireplace, where someone had already started a merry, crackling fire. A large gramophone stood on a table beside the couch and the coffee table was draped with cloth and dried flowers stood on a vase.

Lupin was smiling nostalgically as he looked around. "It looks just like I remember it."

Harry, who had been gaping and taking in the house, had not noticed Sirius watching him closely. "What do you think?"

Harry broke into a happy grin. "It's perfect."

Sirius was grinning too and Harry couldn't help but ask, "But how is it so…?"

"Clean?" finished Sirius. "Because of Twitchet."

"What?"

"Twitchet," repeated Sirius. "Your house-elf."

"I have a house-elf?!" blurted Harry. "How has he been living alone all these years?"

It was Lupin who replied, "She. Twitchet is a she. You should call her."

"Me?" said Harry, goggling.

"Yeah, you. You're her master, so call her," said Sirius, simply.

Harry looked at Sirius warily, trying to decide whether Sirius was pulling his leg or telling the truth. "Um… Twitchet?"

Crack. Harry jumped at the sound of a high-pitched squeak. "Young Master Harry! You is finally home!"

The elf was old, almost as old as Kreacher. She wore a white toga similar to the Hogwarts house elves, but it was fading and yellowed. While Kreacher had looked at everyone with loathing, this elf was looking back at him adoringly, tears pouring from her large eyes, reminding Harry too much of an old and female Dobby.

Harry spoke uncertainly, "Hello, Twitchet. How have you been?"

She squeaked reverently. "Twitchet has been waiting and waiting for young Master to come home. And Twitchet's wishes have come true!"

"Er… thanks," said Harry, a little overwhelmed.

Sirius laughed. "You've done a good job in one day, Twitchet. The house looks so much better than yesterday."

The elf bowed low, beaming. "Thank you, Master Sirius. Twitchet has waited so long to serve her master."

Sirius and Lupin had then shown Harry around the moderate-sized building, replete with tasteful furniture in oak wood. There were six bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms, the living room, a dining and kitchen area and also a library, a study and an attic. Everything looked lived in and a little old from disuse but Harry couldn't care. This was where his father had been born and had lived.

It was really fascinating to watch the many photographs that adorned the mantelpiece and most of the walls of the house. His father and grandparents were in quite a lot but there were also photographs of Sirius, Lupin and Wormtail in his dad's room and also a few of his parents' wedding.

Sirius and Lupin were rather nostalgic and reminiscing the stories that had happened here whenever they had come over for the summer holidays with his dad. Sirius had his own room in the house which was quite devoid of decorations as he had moved out when he was seventeen. Lupin took the guest room, adjacent to Sirius'. James' room was taken by Harry, though, it too was quite empty.

Sirius explained, "Well, your dad got your house in Godric's Hollow as a wedding gift from your grandparents. He most likely cleared out his things here."

"Godric's Hollow…" Harry said testing the name. "Is that where we lived, before?"

Sirius looked rather shocked as Lupin asked slowly, "You didn't know?"

Harry shook his head and Sirius looked furious as he growled, "Yes. That's where you lived."

Twitchet had stocked the house and had whipped up an elaborate breakfast, seemingly trying to make up for sixteen years' worth of the house being empty. After eating, Sirius and Lupin made two quick stops to Grimmauld Place to bring over their belongings.

With the help of Twitchet, Lupin had gotten around to re-decorating their rooms to make themselves at home. Harry had spent the entire afternoon with Padfoot gambolling alongside him, checking out the vast outdoors. It was a good thing the house had a lot of open space outside, as Sirius wouldn't be too cooped up like in Grimmauld Place.

It had been an eventful day as they settled in and played a round of tag on their broomsticks. Lupin was watching from the patio, reading a book and occasionally checking on them. Sirius who was flying a spare one of his dad's that they found in the attic was no match to Harry on his Firebolt. They had eventually given up, Sirius promising to buy himself a good broomstick just so he could keep up with Harry.

Later that night, after they had finished up their dinner, Harry got to sleep in his father's old room in the house that Harry could finally call 'home'. Rest assured, it was the first time he slept, his heart light with happiness.

oOo

A/N: Ah. If only that elusive Potter Manor existed...

Twitchet addresses Sirius as master out of respect but Sirius is not her master, in case anyone decides to point it out to me. Thank you for the alerts and reviews! They help me keep going!